Help removing Explorer Fan Clutch

[Ed74]

I am having the absolute most difficult time breaking the nut loose. I am using a 36mm wrench along with a strap wrench to hold the pulley. I even tried to heat the nut to expand it enough to break it loose. I am about ready to take a sawzall to it and cut it off!!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[needabronco]

Theres a special fan clutch wrench set you can either rent or buy at any parts store.

 

[Ed74]

Thanks needabronco. My 36mm wrench is part of a two piece fan clutch removal tool, which I purchased from Kragen. I am using a strap wrench on the pulley because the other piece, which slides over the 4 bolts, is too small. Strange how the wrench fits but not the other part?

Initially, I rented the fan clutch tools from autozone. However, I soon realized none of the wrenches fit. I think the smallest one is 40mm. So far I am out of options.

 

[bigmuddy]

I had one helluva a time removing mine. I ended up taking the pulley and fan off the engine and sticking it a vise then spraying it down with PB blaster. It took a tremendous amount of force to spin it off. I cannot remember which way it spun off but once I got it moving it easily came off.

Good luck,

Ben

 

[Ed74]

I also soaked the nut with PB blaster. Unfortunately, it did not work. Should I spray it down again and wait a couple days? I was attempting to rotate the nut counter clockwise while facing the front of the engine.

 

[Ed74]

Ben,

How did you remove the pulley and fan off the engine without removing the pump?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Viperwolf1]

It's right hand threaded. Lefty loosey-righty tighty. I took a 1 in. by 1/8 in. by 2 ft. piece of scrap metal, drilled 2 holes in it to match the pulley bolt spacing, and put the pulley bolts through it to hold the pulley from turning.

 

[Ed74]

Thanks Viperwolf1! Seems like leverage is the key then....

 

[mattt]

The Autozone near me had two different fan clutch tools. The first one didn't fit. Then I went back with the fan/clutch assy. They have a second one that says it fits I-6 engines. I don't exactly remember, but I used some combo of holders and wrench from both tool kits and got mine off using them. The hex wrench was a bit large/oversized, but it did remove the clutch from the waterpump snout.

 

[Bronco Brian]

Try hitting the wrench with a hammer to shock it, That is how I did my Powerstroke worked well
Brian

 

[toddz69]

I am having the absolute most difficult time breaking the nut loose. I am using a 36mm wrench along with a strap wrench to hold the pulley. I even tried to heat the nut to expand it enough to break it loose. I am about ready to take a sawzall to it and cut it off!!!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ed

There's also a tool that you can get at Napa that holds two of the bolts on the pulley/pump. It's pretty long so you can get a lot of leverage. I'd recommend buying it if you have the serpentine setup because you'll need it from time to time.

Todd Z.

 

[A4x4Junky]

There's also a tool that you can get at Napa that holds two of the bolts on the pulley/pump. It's pretty long so you can get a lot of leverage. I'd recommend buying it if you have the serpentine setup because you'll need it from time to time.

Todd Z.

I tried this tool and still got my butt kicked. Some are just really stuck I think. Got irritated and finally unbolted the waterpump and decided Ill just replace em.

Anthony

 

[73stallion]

i could have sworn the exploder fan was reverse threaded on???

 

[needabronco]

It is reverse thread, are you sure your trying to 'loosen' in the right direction. It's gonna be 'righty loosy, not righty tighty'...

 

[Viperwolf1]

That's funny mine's not reverse and neither is my spare waterpump.

 

[needabronco]

I could swear mine was when I pulled it apart??? It was about a year ago, maybe my memory is fading.

 

[Viperwolf1]

It's a reverse direction fan and wp but the threads are right-hand. That keeps it tight when the engine is running.

 

[Ed74]

Thanks everyone for your help. My chilton manual says the manufacture did not specify the thread direction. However, if I remember correctly, my Haynes says to loosen to the left.

It seems as if my assembly does not quite match the pictures within the manuals. The fan clutch has a long shaft that attaches to the water pump pulley. Is this correct? Are the fan clutch threads located at the clutch side (where the nut is) or the pulley side?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Viperwolf1]

Well, both sides. WP is the male side, big nut is female.

 

[Ed74]

Should I spray pb blaster onto the wp pulley side? Which side usually budges first?

Thanks,
Ed